3rd MA Cavalry Accepts Flag of Truce for Port Hudson Battle; Provides Prisoner Report

The Flag of Truce will be Duly Respected. 

The 3^rd Massachusetts Cavalry, under the command of Col. Chickering, took part in the Siege of Port Hudson, and remained there until the close of 1863.  In the Spring of 1864, it took part in the Red River Campaign during which it did its full duty. It lost nine men and saw 64 wounded.  In the Spring of 1864, the regiment was dismounted, armed as an infantry and transferred to Maryland, where it became active part of the 2^nd brigade, 2^nd division, 19^th corps.  It was later engaged in the Battle of Winchester, losing 104 men of 600 in action.  It was also engaged at Fisher’s Hill and Cedar Creek. 

In this offering, CHARLES McVEA, adj wrote on behalf of Lt. Col. L.D. [Lorenzo Dow] Sargent, Comr 3^rd Massachusetts Cavalry, Headquarters 9^th La Bat., Dec. 3^rd, 1863, and Capt. Bredow while the regiment remained at Port Hudson after the battle, accepting the Flag of Truce and providing a report on four prisoners.

SARGENT was a 37-year-old manufacturer from Lawrence, MA. He enlisted on Aug. 22, 1862, as a Major and was commissioned into Field & Staff of the MA 3^rd Cavalry in September.  Sargent was wounded at Cedar Creek, VA, on Oct. 19, 1864. He resigned and was discharged for disability on March 10, 1865.

One page, 7” x 9 ¼”, “I am directed by Capt. Bredow in Command of this Bat at present to acknowledge the receipt of yours of this date…Flag of Truce and to reply that Lt. Gove and the four men are in our possession as prisoners. Lt. Gove is wounded by not seriously. He is at present doing well and is well cared for & shall receive all the attention we can bestow. He wishes me also to state that he will cheerfully allow the blankets, clothing and any other articles to be delivered…

“The Flag of Truce shall be duly respected.

“Respectfully, Colonel,

“Your obd Servant, Charles McVea, Adj”

Toning, folds, but tipped to cardstock.

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